A Decade of Service and Self-Respect for Differently Abled
Brothers and sisters, today is the momentous day of December 3rd. The whole world celebrates this day as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Today is a special day to salute the courage, self-confidence, and achievements of Divyangjan. This occasion is like a holy day for India. Respect for persons with disabilities is deeply rooted in Indian ideology. In our scriptures and folk texts, there is a sense of respect for our Divyang friends. There is a verse in the Ramayana:
उत्साहो बलवानार्य, नास्त्युत्साहात्परं बलम्।
सोत्साहस्यास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्,
न किञ्चिदपि दुर्लभम्।
The core of the verse is that nothing is impossible in the world for a person who has enthusiasm in their mind. Today, our Divyangjans in India are becoming the source of the country's honor and self-respect with this enthusiasm. This year, this day is even more special as the Constitution of India completes 75 years. The Constitution of India inspires us to work for equality and Antyodaya. With this inspiration from the Constitution, we have laid a strong foundation for the progress of Divyangjans in the last 10 years. During these years, many policies have been formulated and decisions have been made for the Divyangjans in the country.
These decisions show that our government is compassionate, sensitive, and all-encompassing. In this sequence, today has also become a day to reiterate our dedication to our Divyang brothers and sisters. Since I have been in public life, I have taken every opportunity to make the lives of Divyangjans easier. After becoming the Prime Minister, I made this service the resolution of the nation. After forming the government in 2014, we first decided to replace the word 'handicapped' with 'differently-abled.'
It was not just a change of words; it also enhanced the dignity of Divyangjan in society and gave great recognition to their contributions. This decision conveyed the message that the government wants an inclusive environment where physical challenges do not become a barrier for a person, and they get the opportunity to build the nation with full dignity according to their talent. Divyang brothers and sisters have blessed me for this decision on various occasions. This blessing became my biggest strength for the welfare of the Divyangjan. Every year, we organize many programs on Divyang Day across the country. I still remember, 9 years ago, on this day, we launched the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan. I am very satisfied with the way this campaign has empowered the Divyangjans in the last 9 years. With the determination and power of 140 crore countrymen, 'Sugamya Bharat' not only removed many obstacles in the path of Divyangjan but also gave them a life of dignity and prosperity.
The policies that existed during the time of earlier governments left people with disabilities behind in government jobs and higher education opportunities. We changed those situations. The reservation system was given a new look. The amount spent on the welfare of Divyangjan was also tripled in 10 years. These decisions created new avenues of opportunity and advancement for persons with disabilities. Today, our Divyang friends are making us proud by becoming dedicated partners in building India.
The philosophy of India teaches us that every person in society has a special talent. We just need to bring it to the fore. I have always believed in the incredible talent of my Divyang colleagues. And I say this with full pride: our Divyang brothers and sisters have strengthened my faith over the past decade. I also feel proud to see how their achievements are shaping the resolve of our society.
The life of my Divyang brothers and sisters should be simple, easy, and self-respecting; this is the basic principle of the government. We implemented the Persons with Disabilities Act in the same spirit. In this historic law, the definition of disability was expanded from 7 to 21 categories. For the first time, our acid attack survivors were also included. Today, this law is becoming a means for an empowered life for persons with disabilities. These laws have changed society's perception of persons with disabilities. Today, our Divyang companions are also working with their full strength to build a developed India.
The philosophy of India teaches us that every person in the society has a special talent. We just need to bring him to the fore. I have always believed in that amazing talent of my Divyang colleagues. And I say it with full pride that our Divyang brothers and sisters have strengthened my faith in a decade. I also feel proud to see how their achievements are shaping the resolves of our society.
Today, when the athletes of my country come to my house with a Paralympic medal on their chest, my heart is filled with pride. Every time I share the inspiring stories of my Divyang brothers and sisters with you in Mann Ki Baat, my heart fills with pride. Be it education, sports, or startups, they are breaking all barriers, touching new heights, and becoming partners in the development of the country. I say this with full confidence: when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of independence in 2047, our Divyang friends will become an inspiration for the whole world. Today, we must be committed to this goal.
Come, let us together build a society where no dream or goal is impossible. Only then will we be able to build a truly inclusive and developed India, and I definitely see a huge role for my Divyang brothers and sisters in this. Once again, best wishes to all Divyang friends on this day.